(FM'09) 'Maid Of Stone', Back In The UK - A Chance To Rewrite History, Part IV

[neilhoskins77]

Saturday 1st November 2014
This is going to be a huge month for the club, with us likely to play at least seven matches over three different competitions in the next four weeks, while I also have a big game for India as well. We need to start finding the form we had at the start of the season, and make our way back up the League table. A poor month will likely see us dragged into the relegation dogfight that we were firmly in when I arrived almost a year ago now. I don't want to be in that position. I want to be able to point at some tangible progress when we move into the New Year in just a few short months time and into March when we reach my anniversary at Bourne Park.

Blue Square League, South Division
The Fans' Stadium - Kingsmeadow, Kingston-Upon-Thames
AFC Wimbledon v Maidstone United
Attendance :- 2,141. Weather :- Dry, 7c.

I'm back from Japan, jet-lagged, but determined to try and get Maidstone going back the right up way up the table, starting today, with a tough away match against promotion contenders AFC Wimbledon. No defensive formation from us today, as we revert back to our more standard 4-2-2-2 wide tactic that we used last time out against Tooting & Mitcham United in the FA Cup. We have kept the same starting lineup from that win as well, with the only changes made on the substitutes bench. With only five subs instead of seven for a League game, Mark Smith and Adam Campbell are left out, while Danny Carey-Bertram is also left out today, new signing Michael Branch taking his place.

Our decision to go on the front foot didn't look like a bad one in the opening stages, Gordon Chin and Terry Hindmarch working together well in the 10th minute to smuggle the ball away from the hosts in midfield, and try to send Jack Deeney into space down the left channel, the strikers lack of pace costing him a chance to get into the box. Ten minutes later and Peter Moore's driving run through midfield gave him a chance to put a through ball into the box for Chris Sullivan, the winger only denied his shooting chance by a last ditch and perfectly timed sliding intervention by James Curtis. That led to a counter attack, Marc Canham and Hindmarch working the ball to Deeney, who this time did get his shot in, the rising effort from 15 yards out cleared the bar. Midway through the half, Dean Keenan struck a curling free kick and only just missed the target. Moments later, striker Craig Boyle managed to pick out Chris Sullivan with a through ball, but his attempt at a delicate finish past Josh Derry was probably the wrong option, and keeper easily pushed his effort aside. Ten minutes before the break, an Andy Miskimmon throw in found Daniel Walsh, who hooked the ball over his own head, Deeney getting on to it and spotting Jason Russell off his line, tried to lift a shot over the keeper, getting just a little too much on his shot and clearing the goal frame. In the final chance of the first half, the left footed Mark Williams received the ball back on the right after his corner was headed back out, and spotting Russell cheating off his near post as he expected a cross, the full back drove in a shot aimed at catching the keeper out, but like most of the first half shots at goal, it was off target.

So we had earned parity at half time, and it could be argued that we might have had slightly the better of the first half. The focus in the second half was to keep the mistakes out of our game. There was no blame to be attributed in the 56th minute though, when AFC Wimbledon won a free kick, and Paul Sheffield took it quickly, with a short diagonal pass to Keenan. Their dangerman let fly from nearly 30 yards with a dipping and swerving shot that Derry wouldn't get near, as the ball flew into the top corner! They would quickly attempt to double that lead, Boyle again providing a through pass, Sullivan letting it go by him which also got the ball past Miskimmon, and Graham Fyfe was onto the ball and in the box, but his shot was across goal and well off target. The next shot on target from an AFC Wimbledon player was midway through the half, unfortunately for Sheffield, it was on his own net, as Deeney held the ball up before spreading it wide to Jack Collins, who's low cross would have picked out Walsh for a simple finish from 10 yards out, but Sheffield's attempt to clear it saw him poke it into the bottom corner, and we were level. Our hosts were quite keen to push up the park, while we were pretty happy to have what we held. While they were putting on players to push forward, we were bringing on players to seal up a point, Chin and Walsh came off for Malcolm Carr and Michael Branch's debut, as we crept back towards our own goal, making it even more blatant in the dying minutes when Canham was replaced by Mark Gordon, as two defensive midfielders now sat in front of the back four that AFC Wimbledon could not find a way past, despite a late barrage of crosses and set pieces into our penalty box, that were either deflected from danger or booted clear.

AFC Wimbledon (0) 1 - Dean Keenan (56)
Maidstone United (0) 1 - Paul Sheffield (66 og)
Josh Derry; Andy Miskimmon ©, Shaun Culverhouse, James Curtis, Mark Williams; Marc Canham (Mark Gordon 90), Gordon Chin (Malcolm Carr 80); Jack Collins, Terry Hindmarch; Daniel Walsh (Michael Branch 80), Jack Deeney.
Unused Substitutes :- Aaron Steele, Gordon Murray.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 41% - 59%. Man of the Match :- Dean Keenan (AFC Wimbledon).

Almost 60% of the possession, and out shooting one of the promotion favourites away from home, maybe the more adventurous tactic is the one for us after all. We created enough chances to win that match, though, we could also have lost it too. Dean Keenan was quality in the AFC Wimbledon midfield, not just with his goal of the season contender, but his passing and the way he broke up play as well. Definitely one of the better players we have come up against so far this season. He is out of contract in the summer, and I'm sure The Dons will not want to lose him from their squad.

The threat we offered at the Kingsmeadow today gave some food for thought. With Jack Collins back in the side and looking ready to hit some form again, and some genuine competition for places up front amongst the strikers, this might be as good a chance as any to play some slick attacking football and show what we can do at the sharp end of the park. We desperately need at least one of our strikers to hit a rich vein of form to kick some life back into our season, a two place jump today is a start, but we need to be back in that top half as soon as possible. That's now four League matches without a win.

Despite our recent new signings, I'm still keeping my eyes open for a quality frontman, and an unlikely bid to sign a young striker from a Dutch side on loan was rejected by his club, as they believe the 17 year old is almost ready for First Team football with them. The prolific non-League striker that we made a vastly under value bid for appeared to be all set to sign for Blue Square Premier side Rushden & Diamonds. But they have pulled the plug at the very last second, stating that they have other options that they are now going to pursue.

The Board begin the month satisfied with how things are going at the club. The player given the star signing treatment this time is a bit of a surprise, as it's young defensive midfielder Alan Dallas, and we'll soon have the 18 year old back from injury too. The Boards satisfaction is likely as much to do with the profit of over £30,000 we made in October. Right now, our debt is just back over the £53,000 mark.

Sunday 2nd November
Our Reserve side play today, with a home Group 9 match against Braintree. It brings both good, and bad news for us. The good news is that despite going a goal down in the 38th minute, our second string won 2-1. They scored twice in a minute at the end of the first half, Chris Wilkinson continuing his impressive recent form, while striker Danny Carey-Bertram netted in stoppage time. The bad news overshadows all that though. In a run out as part of his continued return to fitness after a twisted ankle, Jamie McMaster tore his calf muscle midway through the first half today, and the 31 year old Australian midfielder will now be out for up to four months, a huge setback for both us and the player.

Late this evening, we matched a loan bid from Gainsborough Trinity for a young player we have been keeping tabs on for several months now. Maybe it was McMaster's cruel injury news that pushed me into making the decision, though to be fair, the 19 year old Barnsley player is a level or three above the Aussie. The Midlands born midfielder had a loan spell a level below ours last season, and it was very successful, and scouting reports suggest he is a player capable of making an immediate impact on the squad at our level.

Monday 3rd November
In a meeting with my backroom staff this morning, Assistant Manager at the club Jim Bentley has relayed on some information that 31 year old left back Michael Haswell is not particularly happy with his current situation at Bourne Park. One of our main transfer targets of the summer, Haswell has been kept out of the side by Mark Williams since his arrival from AFC Wimbledon on a Free Transfer, playing just six times in all competitions, and to be fair, registering two assists and an average rating of nearly 7.00. It's been suggested I should look to involve the Londoner more, or it could get to the point where he asks to move on. There may be just such an opportunity to do that this week.

Last Monday our domestic attention was drawn to a Cup draw, the FA Cup in that case. It's the same again this week, as the draw is made the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy, the stage of the competition where we enter. This week, the draw is very favourable as far as we are concerned, as we come out of the velvet bag late, secure a home draw, and will be visited by Blue Square North side, Redditch United. They are not in good form, sitting 20th in their Division, which is in the relegation zone, and with just one League win in their last thirteen matches. They have also just been thumped 6-0 away to lower level Cambridge City in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Naturally, we will fancy our chances in that tie, which we will host in just under three weeks. The League match at home to Maidenhead United has just been pushed back another ten days as a result.

Tuesday 4th November
Our loan offer to Barnsley for their young midfielder has been accepted, and he now has the choice between remaining in the north with Gainsborough Trinity, or making the temporary move south to spend some time with us in Kent. We have also made an offer to loan another midfielder today too, this one also 17, and plying his trade right now with Charlton Athletic. Our main competition this time are Basingstoke Town.

Blue Square Conference League Cup, Southern Third Round
Broadfield Stadium, Crawley
Crawley Town v Maidstone United
Attendance :- 536. Weather :- Wet, 12c.

I wouldn't want anyone to be under the impression that we are not taking this game seriously, or that we have no desire to win the match. But we are in four competitions right now, this one is very much the lowest priority, and I've got a group of players desperate to play. Nine changes are made today, with only Josh Derry and Shaun Culverhouse retaining their places from the League match on Saturday afternoon. Culverhouse is partnered in the middle of the back four by Aaron Steele, with Gary Murray and Michael Haswell selected as our full backs. Tommaso Maffei and Malcolm Carr play in the centre of midfield, with Mark Smith on the right wing, and Adam Campbell on the left. Up front, Michael Branch starts, with Danny Carey-Bertram alongside him. Alex Sawyer and Chris Wilkinson are brought up from the Reserve side, and both are on the bench today. They are joined by Marc Canham, Mark Gordon, and a potential debutant in striker Mark Wallace.

Crawley were comfortable favourites for this one, but they were nearly behind with barely two minutes on the clock, Michael Haswell's inswinging corner picking out Adam Campbell near the penalty spot, but the winger just failed to keep his header down. We weren't quite as close in the 10th minute when Mark Smith's low cross from the right found Michael Branch with his back to goal, and he laid it off to Malcolm Carr, the defensive midfielders shot was high and wide. It had been an encouraging opening ten minutes or so, but it wouldn't take too long for the tide to turn. A Jack Cross free kick was well off the mark for Crawley, which turned out to be a sighter, full back Luke Rowe had the next try just after the half hour, and he was much closer, only just missing the near post with Josh Derry struggling to get across his goalmouth. With half time approaching Danny Forrest made good ground down the right, and sent a dangerous cross into the box that bounced by several players, only cleared when Smith put his boot to it at the far post to clear the danger, good tracking back by the winger. Much better than our defending in injury time. Forrest skipped by Haswell easily, and then sent in another low cross towards the near post area, where Billy Preston took a touch to take the ball away from Aaron Steele, who committed himself too hastily, and the striker sent a low shot across goal, under Derry's dive, and inside the far post to give Crawley a half time lead.

We would need to play more like we did in the opening ten minutes if we were going to turn this one around, but Crawley continued to play on the front foot after the restart, winger Michael Malcolm volleying a cross into the box, Derry having to pluck it out of the air of full stretch to prevent it reaching one of his team mates. He was called into action again quickly, Shaun Culverhouse not clearing a cross at it came at him with pace, Malcolm's shot was well saved, and he stopped Preston scoring from the rebound too. Cross remembered his name when he got another free kick on the right, and crossed to the far post, Forrest connecting with a side footed half volley that Haswell kicked off the line! When Craig Stone missed the target from another free kick chance, and Forrest sent a shot on the turn over the cross bar, changes needed to be made to keep us in the game. Carr, Campbell and a very quiet Danny Carey-Bertram came off, with Mark Gordon, Chris Wilkinson and Mark Wallace coming on in their place. It didn't make much of a difference, though Wallace did show off his pace, and home skipper Nicholas Dunn earned a booking when he grabbed a handful of the teenagers jersey to stop him breaking down the channel. So we went more attacking instead, but that almost cost us too, Stone lifting a free kick into the box that centre back Shane Killock got underneath, and his header was too high. Late on, we had our best chance of the match, Chris Wilkinson whipping in a corner, and Steele climbed higher than everyone, his bullet header tipped over by Andrew Moffatt, his first real save of the match, and he denied Steele redeeming himself for his mistake at the other end. And that was it, our best chance had come and gone.

Crawley Town (1) 1 - Billy Preston (45+2)
Maidstone United (0) 0
Josh Derry; Gary Murray, Shaun Culverhouse, Aaron Steele ©, Michael Haswell; Tommaso Maffei, Malcolm Carr (Mark Gordon 65); Mark Smith, Adam Campbell (Chris Wilkinson 65); Danny Carey-Bertram (Mark Wallace 65), Michael Branch.
Unused Substitutes :- Alex Sawyer, Marc Canham.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 57% - 43%. Man of the Match :- Billy Preston (Crawley Town).

We're out of a Cup competition for the first time this season, and to be honest, we were probably quite lucky that Crawley didn't bag more than one goal. But, I have to say that we didn't play too badly at all, and that performance in the League would likely have secured at least a point, if not all three.

We have exceeded the Boards expectations in the Conference League Cup, and we earn a few grand into the deal as well, with our debt reduced down to £50,000 now. With a big Cup match coming up on the weekend, the fact that it's a Derby Match against our biggest rivals only served to heighten the pressure and excitement for the tie.

[neilhoskins77]

Wednesday 5th November 2014
Not a good day for us on the loan front. Barnsley midfielder Steven Woodall has shunned us, preferring to stay north and opting to go on a three month loan to Gainsborough Trinity instead. That is still closer than we got to bringing in Charlton Athletic teenager John Stevenson, with the South London based Coca-Cola League One side rejecting our offer, while accepting one from Basingstoke Town, suggesting that he would likely not be a First Team regular for us. A bit like being patted on the back and slapped in the face at the same time to be honest.

Thursday 6th November
Earlier in the week it was Michael Haswell's happiness at the club that I was being warned about. Today, it's the turn of Gordon Chin. The 31 year old midfielder has been involved in thirteen of our games this season, starting slightly more than he has featured in as a substitute, so I'm not quite sure how valid his complaint is to be fair. The former Canadian Youth International has been pretty decent during that spell too, and the injury to Jamie McMaster doesn't exactly hinder his chances of continuing to get regular First Team football at Bourne Park.

Friday 7th November
The return from injury of Alan Dallas however may cause Chin a problem. The teenager Ulsterman missed the whole of October with a fractured wrist, and is very keen to make up for lost time. I think it would be fair to say we've missed what he brings to the table while he's been out, and it will be interesting to see if his return brings about an upturn in our fortunes.

He won't be back as quickly as tomorrow though, when we'll make the short journey to face bitter rivals Dartford in the First Round of the FA Cup, a game that they are slim favourites for with their home advantage. The fact we are also Division rivals merely adds an extra bit of spice as well, with Dartford going into the match three places and points ahead of us, though we do have a game in hand on them.

Their player of the season to date has to be left wing back Marcus Heaton, a 20 year old former Huddersfield Town youngster and Republic of Ireland Under-19 player, in his second season with The Darts, who has netted half a dozen goals in all competitions. He will need to be closely watched tomorrow. They will be without their other six goal scorer this season though, as 27 year old striker James Lawson is going to miss out with a pulled hamstring. Also missing will be their new arrival, almost £1 million rated right back Joe Smith, who has just arrived on loan from Premier Division side Fulham. It's his first season in football, and he is looking to make his Senior Debut, alas, his parent club have not given him permission to play in Cup matches during the three month loan spell.

Saturday 8th November

FA Cup, First Round
Princes Park, Dartford
Dartford v Maidstone United
Attendance :- 825. Weather :- Breezy, Showers, 18c.

It's back to full strength for our big Derby Day in the FA Cup, as we make the 23 mile trip up the A2 to the outskirts of East London, and to Princes Park in Dartford. The attendance is a little disappointing, though we did bring two buses worth of fans along with us.

It was The Darts who had the first effort at goal, Jojo Connolly and Danny Mason linking up in the third minute, the latter squeezing a diagonal pass into the box for Tashan Adeyinka, the striker getting under his shot and clearing the cross bar. Connolly was involved again five minutes later, finding David Miller who played Ashan Holgate into acres of space on the right corner of the box. His shot attempted to catch out Josh Derry at his near post, the keeper producing a superb reaction stop to keep the ball out! Our first chance came on the counter attack, Jack Collins stepping off his wing and winning the ball, before volleying it across the park and into the box, Jack Deeney bringing it down and shooting across goal, but missing the target. Less than two minutes later and Deeney was in again, Marc Canham switching play from right to left to pick out Terry Hindmarch, and the winger had the pace on Omar Bekele, and cut it back from the byline, Deeney again aiming his shot across goal, and again missing the target. Our finishing was a bit of an issue, but our issues were about to increase. Bekele, then Mark Graham and Mason got the ball to Miller on the left, and he chipped the ball across towards the far post. Adeyinka climbed above Mark Williams and connected with a downward header, Derry doing superbly to keep the ball out, but it ran loose, and right back to Adeyinka, who had a simple finish, or would have had Williams not rugby tackled him to the floor, about as clear cut a penalty as you could wish to see. Full back Marcus Heaton is every bit as lethal from the spot for them as Williams is for us, and he stepped up and drove his left footed effort just off centre down the middle, and high into the net to open the scoring. So we had problems, which continued when Collins took a knock just moments later, unable to continue, and replaced by Mark Smith. Things couldn't get much worse, could they? With just under ten minutes to go till half time, the recently booked Mason swung in a corner, and the ref deemed that all 5'4 of Gordon Chin had hauled 6'2 Connolly to the ground to prevent him reaching it, awarding a second spot kick in the space of a quarter of an hour or so, and booking Andy Miskimmon when he dared to dispute the decision. Heaton stepped up again, going for a similar spot, but lower, and Derry read it perfectly this time, pushing his spot kick aside and keeping the home sides lead down to a single goal.

Thanks to Derry, we were still in this game at the break, but our rivals tried to put us away quickly after the restart, Mason played in between our centre backs by Connolly's knock down, and he tried to lift the ball over Derry as the keeper advanced out towards him, but he got too much on the shot and sent it over the bar. Even when we were trying to get forward, we were being caught on the counter attack, Heaton thumped the ball clear, and we were outnumbered at the back, the ball played through the Dartford players and finding Graham on the edge of the box, who went for power and saw Derry turn his shot over. But nine minutes after the restart, our luck ran out. Centre back Keith Ramsay cleared the ball from the edge of his own box, down the park and right over the heads of our back four. Adeyinka was too quick for our defence, and he slotted his shot low past Derry and into the bottom corner to double the Dartford lead. To our credit, we tried to hit right back, a slick passing move back and forth across the park before the ball was sent in for Deeney, who headed it down to strike partner Daniel Walsh, his first time shot coming back off the angle of the goal frame. Some encouragement at least, and then some more in the 63rd minute, Miskimmon sent the ball down the line to Smith, and his low first time cross picked out Walsh who had halted his run, and he smashed a first time shot into the top corner from 10 yards out, finally netting his first goal three months into the season, and well over 1,000 minutes of football since his last goal. Now Dartford tried to go on the offensive, Mason didn't get the required curl on his shot from range, Heaton did with his free kick effort, but it was too high. With the clock running down, and nothing to lose, we went for it, as we have done on so many occasions. Shaun Culverhouse and Chin came off, Malcolm Carr and Michael Branch came on, one left at centre back with two wing backs only for cover, just one in midfield also. Three strikers, two wingers and an attacking midfielder. Two minutes after the subs were made, Derry lifted the ball up the park, Walsh brought it down, his shot blocked, Deeney fired the loose ball goalwards, Niall Morgan made a crucial save. Then Hindmarch sent over a cross, Smith was unmarked, and had a chance to volley, but he failed to connect with the ball. We were running out of bullets with five minutes to go, Deeney and Branch had shots blocked, but the ball was recycled and sent wide to Williams, and his deep cross cut out a whole group of players, and Walsh got in front of substitute defender Travis Davies, and headed home an equaliser! Now we had to sink back into a formation that would see us through, Carr utilised as a centre back, Deeney and Walsh were in the midfield. Injury time was on the clock, and with mere seconds of it left to play Mason was in a whole heap of space in the middle of the park. He strode forward with options either side, and Smith took one for the team, sending him tumbling to the ground, taking a booking for his trouble, but saving us from potentially being bounced out of the Cup!

Dartford (1) 2 - (Marcus Heaton 21 pen), Tashan Adeyinka (54)
Maidstone United (0) 2 - Daniel Walsh (63,86)
Josh Derry; Andy Miskimmon ©, Shaun Culverhouse (Michael Branch 79), James Curtis, Mark Williams; Marc Canham, Gordon Chin (Malcolm Carr 79); Jack Collins (inj - Mark Smith 24), Terry Hindmarch; Jack Deeney, Daniel Walsh.
Unused Substitutes :- Gary Murray, Aaron Steele, Michael Haswell, Mark Gordon.
Bookings :- Andy Miskimmon 36, Mark Smith 90+2
Possession :- 43% - 57%. Man of the Match :- Daniel Walsh (Maidstone United).

Like all modes of public transport, Daniel Walsh waited a long time for one, and two came along at once. The 20 year old striker who I signed on a Free Transfer from Witton Albion in March, and who's five goals in seven matches helped save us from the drop last season, is finally off the mark this campaign, and not a moment too soon either. It's by the skin of our teeth, but we are still in the FA Cup this season. In fact, if you look at the League table and our form, if it wasn't for the FA Cup, I might have been out of a job by now.

Sunday 9th November
Fixture congestion is going to be an issue going forward for us, and our squad is going to be pushed to its limit. We have a game on Tuesday, and then a game on Saturday, and also a match scheduled for the following Tuesday as well, meaning that our Replay back at Bourne Park has been set for a week on Thursday, two days after a home game against Newport County, and two days before another home match, that one with Redditch United in the FA Trophy. That's an awful situation for us, three home matches in five days will push our supporters into potentially picking and choosing too.

Our Reserve side have travelled to London today, and return with a 1-0 win from their Group 9 match against Hampton & Richmond, the winning goal coming five minutes into the second half from young Northern Irish striker Mark Wallace. Our second string are five points clear at the top now.

Monday 10th November
We are due right back in action tomorrow evening, with yet another home game, this time the visitors are the fast improving University side from the South West of England, as Team Bath will trek across the country. Only one team has beaten them since mid-August in any competition, and that's Lewes, who beat them twice, once in the League, and also in the Conference League Cup. Both games ended 1-0, and both were away from home for the Team Bath side. There is no doubt at all who their star man is right now, 27 year old Captain and striker Josh Llewellyn, who joined the club on a Free after being released by Derby County in 2006. He has scored eleven times in nineteen matches in all competitions, and is forming quite the partnership with Thomas Ince, the son of former England midfielder Paul, who has laid on five goals this campaign.

No doubt about the main event of the day though, and it comes later in the evening, as the draw is made for the FA Cup Second Round, a draw that we will be featuring in after our comeback on Saturday that earned us a draw in Dartford. Should we manage to beat our rivals in the Replay, we have one of the two kinds of tie that we were hoping for, as the draw pairs the winner on an away trip north to face Doncaster Rovers, currently second in Coca-Cola League One.

The Yorkshire club have a capacity of over 15,000 in their all-seater Keepmoat Stadium, and have an average attendance of almost 6,000 this season, with their last two home games both attracting well over 7,000. They have a strike duo to be feared too, as Steven Gillespie and Welsh International striker Simon Church have so far struck 23 goals between them this season.

Tuesday 11th November

Blue Square League, South Division
Bourne Park, Sittingbourne
Maidstone United v Team Bath
(Match Postponed - Waterlogged Pitch) - Rearranged for Friday 14th November 2014

A bit of a farce this afternoon and this evening I'm afraid. Team Bath were well on their way to Kent when the heavens opened, and a pitch that has already been hugely overused and in poor shape, could take no more. Bourne Park was unable to absorb the deluge, and while it became quickly obvious that no football would be played here tonight, that decision was ultimately down to the referee, and he was travelling to us from Hartlepool! So Team Bath had to wait around while our pitch became a bath, and once the match was called off, less than two hours before the scheduled kick off, they could then head back across country once we had at least fed and watered them.

The story of woe doesn't end there for the West Country side, as someone somewhere saw fit to cancel our planned home match this weekend against Bognor Regis Town, and slot the home match with Team Bath into a rearranged slot of this coming Friday night, meaning they have to make the same trip in less than 72 hours time. I'll never quite understand the point of that to be honest.

Edited March 2, 2020 by neilhoskins77

[neilhoskins77]

Wednesday 12th November 2014
The Bourne Park playing surface has recovered suitably to host a Reserve match tonight, as AFC Hornchurch visit. Our second string dispatch them with relative ease, Australian midfielder Gavin Molloy putting us in front after an hour, and Ian Rossiter adding a second with ten minutes to play. Our visitors pulled a goal back with only a minute left to play, but there was still time for Iain McMillan to net an injury time goal to put the result beyond doubt. As usual, there is always a negative with us, and left winger Chris Wilkinson has suffered a thigh strain after striking the ball awkwardly, and he is out for around two weeks now.

Thursday 13th November
So once again, we are preparing for the visit of Team Bath, for the second time this week, hopefully it's not a wasted journey for everyone this time. The other games played earlier in the week mean that we now head into the fixture sat in 18th place, two places further down the table than we were before the original fixture date, and ten places behind our guests. They are once more the favourites, despite a long cross country trek.

Friday 14th November

Blue Square League, South Division
Bourne Park, Sittingbourne
Maidstone United v Team Bath
Attendance :- 348. Weather :- Dry, 7c.

Clearly Friday nights are not a great time to host football matches in this town, as the attendance figure for this one is awful. Maybe our fans are now picking and choosing with multiple home games coming up, or it could be that they're voting with their feet at our below average form over recent weeks. The starting lineup is unchanged from the side that managed a comeback at Princes Park against Dartford almost a week ago in the FA Cup. The reduction from seven substitutes down to five means Gary Murray and Mark Smith are left out of the matchday squad today.

We started well, and a mazy run from Jack Collins brought the winger infield at pace, and he sent a pass into the path of Daniel Walsh, the strikers effort right at keeper Dean Lyness as he came rushing off his line to narrow the angle. Five minutes later, a poor pass from Marc Canham allowed Team Bath to launch a quick counter attack, Nick Gray's superb run down the right was matched with the quality of cross, and Thomas Ince was able to beat Andy Miskimmon in the air at the far post, but unable to guide his header on target. The son of former England International midfielder Paul, was soon back in the action, as Lewis Sloan picked him out with a superb raking pass from midfield, this time he did hit the target, but Josh Derry was wise to his effort to beat him at the near post, and made a good save. With the halfway point of the first half just gone by, our visitors thought they had a very good shout for a penalty, Gregg Coombes believing he was fouled by Canham, but after a meeting of the minds, the ref and his assistant agreed there wasn't enough in it. Moments later, Nathaniel Jarvis twisted his way past James Curtis, and just like Ince earlier, he tried to beat Derry at his near post, this time the shot found the side netting. The University side went route one for the final chance of the half, Lyness' huge clearance down the park was brought down by skipper Josh Llewellyn, but his finish was nowhere near as impressive, his shot high over the goal frame.

Goalless at the break, and I told the players that we needed a bit more from them if we were going to end this winless streak. But Team Bath resumed where they had left off in the first half, as they continued to pressure us, Llewellyn knocking the ball down for Sloan, but his curling effort from range was comfortably over the bar. Gray was next into the box, but Canham and Curtis double teamed him to block his route to goal, the appeal for a penalty was a little less loud this time. With the hour mark approaching, Canham was able to show his skill going forward, rather than his lack of it when tackling. He sliced the visitors defence open with a pass into the left wing for Mark Williams, and he produced a superb cross to the far post. Gordon Chin had time to set himself, and caught the ball perfectly on the volley with his right foot, denied only by a superb save from Lyness, who not only kept the ball out, but managed to push it to safety too. Chin was left with his chin in his hands! Our corners were not providing us with the chances that we usually get from them, and with twenty five minutes to play, one set piece was cleared to Llewellyn, who's attempt to launch a counter attack was brought to an abrupt halt by Chin, our midfielder lucky to avoid a booking for a fairly cynical challenge. In the 72nd minute, Collins won a race against Ince to retrieve an overhit Terry Hindmarch cross, and our winger tricked his way past his opposite number. His low cross was deflected back into the path of Chin, who struck a low shot that was diverted by Jack Deeney on the edge of the six yard box and into the bottom corner. Team Bath were convinced he was offside, and to be fair, I was waiting for the flag to go up as well, but replays showed he had been played on by Ince as he chased Collins! Now we had a lead to protect, and a chance to end this run of ours. No such luck. Sloan hit a curling shot from range less than five minutes later, Derry saved it and parried the ball back towards the edge of the box, and Curtis was judged to have bodychecked Jarvis to the floor in his attempt to stop him reaching the loose ball, and the ref awarded a penalty this time. Curtis was booked, and probably a little lucky not to earn a quick second caution as well as he confronted ref Ken Powell about his decision. None of that affected centre back Gary Warren, who struck his spot kick high under the cross bar and out of Derry's reach despite going the right way, and our lead has vanished after just five minutes. Now my thoughts had quickly turned from that elusive win, to making sure that we at least didn't lose again. A powerful run through midfield by Llewellyn would have probably gone better if he had carried on going himself, instead of playing a pass to Ben Adelsbury, who sensed glory and shot from range, badly, oblivious to the two players in the centre in a much better position. Canham and Chin were replaced with five minutes to go, Malcolm Carr and Mark Gordon coming on to sit in front of the back four and contain our guests, ensuring we held on to the point we had.

Maidstone United (0) 1 - Jack Deeney (72)
Team Bath (0) 1 - Gary Warren (77 pen)
Josh Derry; Andy Miskimmon ©, Shaun Culverhouse, James Curtis, Mark Williams; Marc Canham (Mark Gordon 85), Gordon Chin (Malcolm Carr 85); Jack Collins, Terry Hindmarch; Jack Deeney, Daniel Walsh.
Unused Substitutes :- Aaron Steele, Michael Haswell, Michael Branch.
Bookings :- James Curtis 76
Possession :- 49% - 51%. Man of the Match :- Nathaniel Jarvis (Team Bath).

I guess we would have taken a point before the game, but to lose the chance to win all three points so quickly after finding a goal to go in front was very frustrating. An ex player, who remained conveniently nameless in the local press stated that if the club are to achieve their goals this season, the form needs to drastically improve, and pretty quickly too. As opinions go, this one wasn't exactly oozing insightful knowledge.

A rare Friday evening match at this level meant an opportunity for Managers from other clubs to take in the game, and one who was spotted at Bourne Park was promotion candidates Forest Green Rovers boss Jerry Gill. He is rumoured to be looking at reinforcements at the sharp end of the park, with Jack Collins and visitors forward Nathaniel Jarvis rumoured to be the subjects of his attention this evening.

After a few Cup goals this season, Jack Deeney is finally off the mark in the League, as our switch to a formation with two strikers is starting to show its fruits now. But the form hasn't improved with our strikers fortunes, and our last ten games in all competitions have produced just three wins, all in Cup matches, and all at home. That same span of games has seen us produce just a single clean sheet, and find the net ourselves more than once per game on just three occasions, also all Cup matches. We have earned just two League points from fifteen in that run, and while the draw moves us back up to 16th place, there are plenty of games still to be played before the weekend is out.

Saturday 15th November
Northern Irish left sided player Adam Campbell is the latest rumoured to be disillusioned with the lack of First Team chances he is receiving at Bourne Park. The 26 year old, who I signed in the summer for the second time as a Manager, has appeared only seven times in all competitions this season, more often than not from the bench. He has actually played well too, but I'm still hoping that Terry Hindmarch can spark into the form we were expecting from him when he arrived, and so far hasn't really materialised. In fact, both players have very similar statistics.

To a large degree, results today went our way, meaning we don't lose any more ground on the teams around us, as we look to find a way to start climbing the table. Our Under-18's continue to sit top of their table, now by seven points and with a game in hand, as they beat nearest challengers AFC Wimbledon by a score of 2-1 at Bourne Park. They are looking a very good bet to win their League at the moment.

Sunday 16th November
Team Bath stayed in Kent over the weekend, and I don't blame them, as they played once again today in the Garden County. Goals in each half from Nathaniel Jarvis and Lewis Sloan from the spot saw them beat our rivals Dartford, keeping us just three points behind our county neighbours, and now with two games in hand as we approach a very hectic week of football.

Monday 17th November
Tomorrow night we are home once more in the Blue Square South, the first of three home matches in three different competitions over a five day period. We open this spell with a visit from the club very close to my own hometown, as Newport County make the trek across to Kent.

This match has been a long time in coming, as it was originally scheduled for the 30th September, before being gradually pushed back a week or two at a time, mainly due to our continued participation in various Cup competitions. That may not actually be a a good thing for us, as while our League form has faltered, County have won three of their last five, and only lost twice in seven in the League, moving themselves up to the brink of the top half of the table. They are going to be missing a few key players at Bourne Park tomorrow night though, including Irish centre back Andrew Hageman. That name may sound familiar if you've been following along, I had him in my Ayr United squad in the second job of my career. That hasn't stopped the bookies making the Welsh side odds-on favourites to make it six League games without a win for us.

Tuesday 18th November

Blue Square League, South Division
Bourne Park, Sittingbourne
Maidstone United v Newport County
Attendance :- 310. Weather :- Dry, 7c.

A second home match in four days, with another two coming over the next four as well. Thursday night in the Cup Replay with Dartford will give us a much better idea of how much of our fan base have actually walked away from us, but the numbers don't look encouraging. Gordon Chin is left out of the squad tonight, with Malcolm Carr stepping into the side in his place, and Alan Dallas selected on the bench. Up front, Daniel Walsh is also dropped for this one, with Michael Branch selected to partner Jack Deeney up front, and Walsh taking his place on the bench.

We created the first chance of the match in the 9th minute, Andy Miskimmon taking a free kick quickly to Malcolm Carr, and he got the ball to Jack Collins. The winger stepped past one tackle, and then sent a through ball into the box for Michael Branch, the striker all on his own. He tried to pick a spot in the bottom corner, James Thompson doing superbly to parry the ball away, and his defence preventing Jack Deeney getting to the loose ball. That was the only early chance either side created, Newport next to have a go with the game nearly a quarter of the way through, a slick passing move put Mark Farthing into some space outside the box, but he sent his shot well over the cross bar. Skipper Craig Tawton was no closer when he tried a shot from range moments later, and we couldn't do any better ten minutes later when Branch and Deeney exchanged passes after good work by Marc Canham and Terry Hindmarch, but Deeney's effort was high and wide. But with just four minutes to play until half time, Collins cross was recovered by Mark Williams, and the full back moved down the left and right to the byline, before standing a cross up into the middle, where Branch got in front of Richard O'Brien, and found the net with a well placed downward header to give us the lead with his first goal for the club.

I was hoping that having half time with the lead might give us an opportunity to calm the players and focus them on what were now looking to do, and we had a helping hand when County lost left back Ryan Hall to injury just before the break, meaning they needed to reshuffle. We were still nearly caught quickly after the restart though, Carl Davidson and Farthing working a short free kick into the box, and Christopher McFarland had acres of room, but Josh Derry was off his line quickly and made a smart stop. But that only served to give County some encouragement, a curling Tawton cross was only just out of reach of his team mates, and Davidson's cross from the left to the far post was cleared at the last second by Hindmarch, who almost put it right into his own net. With only a quarter of the match remaining, County were now shooting from range, and Jonathan Smith's effort would fail to trouble Derry. At the other end, Thompson was so nearly caught out by Collins free kick from out wide on the left, everyone expecting a cross, our winger instead trying a whipped effort at goal that barely cleared the bar with the keeper struggling to get back across his goalmouth. We were doing alright, and nearly doubled our lead when Branch played a nice one-two with Collins, and then slipped a reverse pass into the box for Deeney, his low shot stopped by Thompson who thrust out a leg to keep his side in the match. With just fifteen minutes remaining, County created a superb chance to equalise, the ball dropped into the right wing for McFarland, and his cross picked out young substitute striker Kevin Phillips all on his own just eight yards out, but he fluffed his lines, heading over the bar. It was enough of a scare for us to make some changes though, Carr and Deeney off, Branch left up top alone and Alan Dallas and Mark Gordon brought on to play in the defensive midfield roles in front of the back four. That looked to have done the job, until the dying moments, Phillips having a shot blocked, and the ball put right back into the box where another sub Danny Gregory forced a great reflex save out of Derry. My response was to be even more defensive, Canham replaced by Aaron Steele as we moved to a back five, and got over the line for a long overdue win.

Maidstone United (1) 1 - Michael Branch (41)
Newport County (0) 0
Josh Derry; Andy Miskimmon ©, Shaun Culverhouse, James Curtis, Mark Williams; Marc Canham (Aaron Steele 89), Malcolm Carr (Alan Dallas 77); Jack Collins, Terry Hindmarch; Jack Deeney (Mark Gordon 77), Michael Branch.
Unused Substitutes :- Michael Haswell, Daniel Walsh.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 49% - 51%. Man of the Match :- Jack Collins (Maidstone United).

What a relief! I didn't enjoy the second half, almost expecting a slip up to cost us the win at some point. But not this time, and a timely return to winning ways, our first in half a dozen League matches, moving us back up to 15th spot in the League, and back within touching distance of the clubs ahead of us, which includes the Newport County side we've just beaten. If we were to win the two games in hand we have on the most of the clubs ahead of us, we could actually get back into the top ten.

With Cup football back as the focus again for the rest of the week, we have also taken ourselves back above rivals Dartford on goal difference ahead of our big FA Cup Replay with them here on Thursday night. Fingers crossed that the win not only breeds a new confidence into the players, but also the supporters, and we can get a bumper gate to earn a payday that leads to a trip to Doncaster Rovers, and a genuine chance to wipe a big chunk of our debt out.

[neilhoskins77]

Wednesday 19th November 2014
That win in the battle of the clubs wearing orange was a big one for us, and well timed too. But we have no time to pat ourselves on the back, as we are right back into action at home tomorrow night, and it's a big one! Dartford are our big rivals, and they are headed here tomorrow evening for the FA Cup First Round Replay. Our comeback almost two weeks ago at Princes Park was Roy of the Rovers type stuff, and might have kept me in a job as well. Now we're favourites to finish the job against them, and after moving above them in the League last night, we can knock them out of the Cup and cement a potentially money spinning tie with Doncaster Rovers next weekend.

Our Reserve side are continuing their excellent form, thumping lowly Canvey Island Reserves 4-1 tonight at Park Lane. We scored all our goals inside the first hour, centre backs Richard Anderson and Matthew Bradshaw netting the first two, before midfielder Gavin Molloy added to the scoreline before the break. Striker Danny Carey-Bertram scored from the spot in the 53rd minute, before Dean Vines pulled one back for the Islanders later on. Our second string now hold a six point lead at the top of Group 9.

Thursday 20th November

FA Cup First Round Replay
Bourne Park, Sittingbourne
Maidstone United v Dartford
Attendance :- 1,159. Weather :- Gales, 7c.

It's our big day, maybe even make or break in our season, or even my career here at Bourne Park. The FA Cup has been a huge contributor to us reducing our debt, and the largest crowd in almost seven years has filed into the ground on a gusty evening, to see if we can take another chunk off that debt tonight, and set up a match that might even move us back into the black. The hectic schedule means changes are needed, three of them in the starting lineup, with some additions on the bench too. The midfield duo are both rotated today, both Marc Canham and Malcolm Carr are dropped from the lineup and squad, with Gordon Chin and Alan Dallas starting today, with Tommaso Maffei recalled to join Mark Gordon on the bench, and Mark Smith and Adam Campbell also included amongst the substitutes. The other change is up front, Michael Branch started against Newport forty eight hours ago, and scored the winning goal, but finds himself back on the bench tonight, with Daniel Walsh brought back in to partner Jack Deeney.

It would take us almost 12 minutes to launch the first attack of the game, and it could have produced a penalty or a goal. Jack Deeney, Jack Collins and Daniel Walsh played the ball in a neat triangle around the corner of the box, Collins cross seemed to strike Marcus Heaton's arm, but the ref waved off our penalty shouts. The ball was played back to the winger by Andy Miskimmon, and he tried a curling shot that only just cleared the cross bar. A poor touch from Miskimmon at the other end led to the ball bouncing to James Lawson, and his shot from the edge of the box was also just too high. On the half hour, Tashan Adeyinka held the ball up, and then sent a low diagonal pass to David Miller which cut right through our defence, but the winger fired his shot right at Josh Derry. A few minutes later though, Adeyinka didn't pass. Lawson tried another shot from the edge of the box, this one beating Derry but crashing back off the cross bar. The ball rebounded back towards the edge of the box, and Adeyinka met it with a header, back over the prone keeper, and dropping just under the bar and into the net, giving Dartford a 38th minute lead. With the break fast approaching, Terry Hindmarch was released into space down the left by Mark Williams, and he cut inside and found Walsh, the striker squaring the ball across towards the penalty spot, where Alan Dallas was unmarked and struck a low and firm sidefooted shot, which unfortunately lacked precision and was fairly easily stopped by Niall Morgan. With first half injury time almost up, we went back down the wide route, Collins beating his marker for pace, and then sending a dangerous cross towards the far post, where Robbie Gilbert was beaten to the ball by Hindmarch, who's firm header was just the wrong side of the post, and into the side netting.

A goal down at the break, and the air was turned blue in our dressing room. It was spelt out to the players we had come too far and fought too hard in this competition to go out like this, with barely a whimper. The words did their job, and hit home. Walsh held up the ball and laid it off to Dallas, who in turn found Gordon Chin. The midfielders pass cut out Heaton and reached Walsh, who drove a first time shot beyond Morgan's dive, and in off the underside of the cross bar! Game on again! Clearly there was a big change in our players mood as well, as suddenly their thoughts turned to winning this game, Miskimmon sliding a pass to Collins, who weaved by a few defenders and into the box, before firing in a shot that Morgan had to push clear. But there was no danger of Dartford rolling over in such a big game, and they almost snatched their lead right back, Steven Lawless curling in a cross from the right, and Adeyinka stole in behind the defence to meet the ball with a powerful header from eight yards out, Derry producing a superb reflex save to keep it out, but he would have known that a yard either side of him, and he would have been helpless to stop it. The game reached a quieter spell, with only a Lawson curler from range to see from an attacking point of view from either side. Some changes were made though, Dallas took a knock, and was replaced with fifteen minutes to play, Hindmarch joining him, as Mark Gordon and Adam Campbell came on. I used my last change in the 82nd minute, slightly reluctantly, mindful that should this match go all the way to penalties, Mark Williams was one of the best in the business. But the left back was out of gas, and Michael Haswell replaced him, with Dartford also using up the last of their changes. Lawson drove a direct free kick wide of the target, in what would turn out to be the last chance of the ninety minutes, and this match was going to an extra half hour that we would loved to have avoided.

The extra time session began with two teams who looked like they'd be happy to go right to penalty kicks, and as such, there wasn't too much in the way of attacking entertainment to be seen. Ten minutes into the session, Lawson bought a corner for Dartford, but that was wasted. Five minutes after the change of ends, we had our first chance. It came about when Heaton made a last ditch foul on Adam Campbell before he moved into their penalty box, the fresh legged sub winger had made a driving run from halfway, and Heaton took him out, earning a booking. Chin is the only man in our squad who has scored from a direct free kick this season, and he curled this one over the wall, only to see it ruffle the side netting as it scraped the outside of the upright on it's way past. But Heaton's involvement was not quite over yet. With literally seconds to play in extra time, Miskimmon got the ball to Chin thirty yards from goal, and he spread it left for Michael Haswell, who had acres of room with Dartford pulling everyone back into the middle of the box. The left back lifted a cross towards the back post, where Collins was waiting, unmarked, until Heaton arrived and bundled the winger to the floor, unwilling to take the chance on him connecting with a volley. It was one of the clearest penalties you'll ever see, and the referee didn't bottle his decision, pointing right to the spot. In fact, if there was a surprise, it was that Heaton wasn't shown a second yellow card, which could yet be important, if this spot kick doesn't go in, he is one of their first choice penalty takers. Speaking of which, our first choice penalty taker is no longer on the park, and someone else would now be tasked with the responsibility of taking the kick that could send us into the Second Round of the FA Cup. It was Collins who picked up the ball, placed it on the spot, and rolled up his socks. Then, with just about the last kick of the match, he fired his penalty into the top corner, and we advance yet again!

Maidstone United (0) 2 - Daniel Walsh (47), Jack Collins (120+1 pen)
Dartford (1) 1 - Tashan Adeyinka (38)
(After Extra Time - 1-1 after ninety minutes)
Josh Derry; Andy Miskimmon ©, Shaun Culverhouse, James Curtis, Mark Williams (Michael Haswell 82); Gordon Chin, Alan Dallas (inj - Mark Gordon 75); Jack Collins, Terry Hindmarch (Adam Campbell 75); Jack Deeney, Daniel Walsh.
Unused Substitutes :- Aaron Steele, Tommaso Maffei, Mark Smith, Michael Branch.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 51% - 49%. Man of the Match :- Jack Collins (Maidstone United).

What a finish that was! In front of the clubs best attendance for years, we dispatch our nearest rivals from the FA Cup with pretty much the last kick of the match. If it hadn't been for playing the extra half hour of football when we have another game on Saturday afternoon, it would have been pretty much the perfect way to go through to the next round.

That progress is huge, as we earn a £20,000 pay day for our progression, plus our share of the gate. All that means that we have now reduced our debt down to £25,000, and we are hoping for a fairly good payday next weekend when we play away to Doncaster Rovers of Coca-Cola League One in the Second Round. That fixture means our League match away to Canvey Island has been rearranged for midweek, the week before Christmas.

Friday 21st November
No time to celebrate for us, as we are right back into Cup football action tomorrow afternoon, with a match at home to Redditch United of the Blue Square North in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. While our League form isn't exactly sparkling, but 15th place is something our opponents could only dream of right now, as they sit 20th in their Division and eight points away from our position.

We'll go into tomorrow's match as the firm favourites, priced at 4/5 to progress into the next round, though the bookies are likely unaware of my plan to make sweeping changes to the team that beat Dartford yesterday in the FA Cup. Our guests are hoping that their new loan signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers will help turn around their fortunes. £1 million rated 17 year old Richard Power has a reputation as a future First Team player at Molineux, and he could make his Senior Debut against us tomorrow at Bourne Park.

I'm hoping that by early next week, we may have a new player at the club, with a contract offered to an International centre back who is currently playing in Eastern Europe. It's his second season with the club, and he is available on a Free Transfer, with his contract up for renewal next summer. He is being courted by several other clubs in his current nation of residence, but I can say that if he joins us, he will be earning six times what he currently earns. With no work permit needed, he could be tempted a return 'home'.

Saturday 22nd November
Our weekend does not get off to a brilliant start. With most of the First Team squad not being considered for today's match in the FA Trophy, there is a training session scheduled, a training session that Gordon Chin doesn't show up for. When he does eventually show up, he is sent right to my office, where he is fined one weeks wages, or £375 in cash terms. He quickly apologises, indicates a willingness to improve his behaviour, and accepts his fine.

FA Trophy, Third Qualifying Round
Bourne Park, Sittingbourne
Maidstone United v Redditch United
Attendance :- 256. Weather :- Dry, 7c.

Our First Team this afternoon shows nine changes from the side that beat Dartford in the FA Cup here less than 48 hours ago, with only keeper Josh Derry and centre back Shaun Culverhouse remaining in the side for this considerably less important tie. Aaron Steele gets a chance to regain his form at centre back alongside Culverhouse, with Gary Murray and Michael Haswell selected in the full back roles. Marc Canham comes back into the side in midfield, with Tommaso Maffei also starting today, Mark Smith and Adam Campbell will play on the wings. Up front, Michael Branch and Mark Wallace are our strike duo. On the bench today are James Curtis and Alex Sawyer who are covering the back four, Mark Gordon and Gavin Molloy in the midfield, and Danny Carey-Bertram up front.

It was clear that Redditch United don't have too much faith in their own attacking ability, as early on they were taking pot shots from range, though Richard Power made Josh Derry work in the 10th minute, the on loan midfielder making his Senior debut sent in a curler that Derry had to turn around the post. He had to work again moments later, Colin Egan's through ball finding Ben Godfrey, our keeper doing great work again to keep out his low shot with his legs. Right back and skipper Tony Brookes tried the last of Redditch's early spell chances direct from a free kick, failing to get the required curl on the ball to draw it back inside the post after beating the defensive wall. We were much more clinical when we got our first chance in the 16th minute, not something often said about us. Michael Haswell sent Adam Campbell into a foot race against Brookes, and our winger won, cutting the ball back into the box, and picking out Mark Wallace, who netted his first goal in our colours with a firmly driven shot that beat Jason Wallace and found the back of the net. Brookes almost got lucky in the visitors search for a quick equaliser, his attempted cross overhit, and almost beating Derry and finding the top corner, the keeper touching it over the bar right at the last second. On the whole, we were in control, particularly in the midfield battle, though when Power did manage to find a way past Campbell and Tommaso Maffei, he managed to get the ball into the box for Godfrey. He got his shot away again, this time beating Derry, but it crashed right back out off the base of the post. Before the break, Marc Canham sent a shot from range just over the bar after a short free kick routine, while Michael Branch achieved the same result when the Redditch defence let a long Derry clearance bounce, and it went right over their heads to our striker, who also failed to hit the target.

Reaching half time with the lead was nice, but we had given up quite a few chances at the same time, and I wasn't prepared to risk making changes at this point. Extra time for the second time in less than forty eight hours was something we were keen to avoid. The second half began with an end to end flow that didn't suit us at all, a cross from Mark Smith cleared just as Branch closed in on it, the ball cleared down the park, where Paul Walters easily beat Shaun Culverhouse with his pace, but his cross was also headed away from danger, Canham back in the defensive role this time. Fortunately, that phase of the match didn't last too long, Power's latest effort from range going through the box and wide. With the game hitting a thankfully quieter period with twenty minutes left to play, I felt we were okay to replace two players who had picked up knocks, bringing in some fresh legs. Maffei and Campbell were withdrawn, Gavin Molloy and Mark Gordon taking their places. Just over ten minutes later, Redditch made a big move of their own, switching into a very attacking formation. Too attacking as it turned out, Gary Murray broke up play on halfway, and he found Smith. The winger made ground, before sending the ball on to Wallace, and he cut the ball back, just as it had been for him in the first half, he found Molloy 15 yards out, and the Australian midfielder tried to finish just as his striker colleague had, but his shot took a huge deflection that left their keeper absolutely stranded, and the ball ended up in the bottom corner to put us two ahead with only five minutes to go. That allowed me to let the lad Wallace, with a goal and an assist, come off and receive the applause he deserved from the sparse crowd, as young full back Alex Sawyer came on to replace him as we went to five at the back for the closing moments. Nothing much more to see here, apart from sub Mark Jones wandering in on our goal after a long ball sprung our offside trap, but even a consolation was beyond them today, as he screwed his shot wide, missing a chance to net his fifth of the season, while we made Cup progress for the second time this week.

Maidstone United (1) 2 - Mark Wallace (16), Gavin Molloy (85)
Redditch United (0) 0
Josh Derry; Gary Murray, Shaun Culverhouse, Aaron Steele ©, Michael Haswell; Tommaso Maffei (inj - Gavin Molloy 71), Marc Canham; Mark Smith, Adam Campbell (inj - Mark Gordon 71); Mark Wallace (Alex Sawyer 85), Michael Branch.
Unused Substitutes :- James Curtis, Danny Carey-Bertram.
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 45% - 55%. Man of the Match :- Mark Wallace (Maidstone United).

Are we starting to turn the corner a little here, or is this just another false dawn for us, one of a few this year since I arrived? That win means we move into the First Round of the FA Trophy, pocketing another £4,000 in prize money and dropping our debt to £20,000 or thereabouts. It also means we have now achieved the Boards objective in all three Cup competitions this season, remaining in two of those Cups as well, for now at least. The draw for the next round of this one will take place early next week.

We'll finish this update with a quick word on Mark Wallace. His first start in a Maidstone jersey was a roaring success, but I'm keen not to heap the pressure on the young man. That was the nineteen year old's second Senior goal ever, and as I said when I brought him in, he has something our other strikers don't have. Blistering pace. He is capable of living from the knock downs of Branch and Walsh, and the crosses from Collins and Hindmarch. I'm keen to make sure he's brought on properly, but with the trouble we've had getting strikers to find the net this season, it won't take a huge amount of scoring prowess to push his way up the queue.

[oche balboa]

KUTGW Neil

Hope you are good 

[neilhoskins77]

On 23/03/2020 at 11:49, oche balboa said:

KUTGW Neil

Hope you are good 

Thanks very much as always Oche.

We're all good here thanks, I hope all is well with you and yours too. Stay safe pal.

[neilhoskins77]

Monday 24th November 2014
Still no rest in this hectic period of the season, and this week is a big one, with two more huge matches. That begins tomorrow evening, as we take a trip to the current League leaders, Lewes. They are the surprise package of the season so far, but they haven't beaten us for over five years. We've yet to face them in the League this season, but we did meet them twice in the FA Cup, a goalless draw at their place almost two months ago, before beating them in the Replay at Bourne Park. We are very much the underdogs this time around though.

The second game of the week is this weekends hugely anticipated, by us at least, FA Cup Second Round match scheduled for Saturday, but which has just been brought forward to Friday evening to be shown live on TV. So my 38th birthday will be spent managing my side in a game that could dig us out of a financial hole. As for progress into the promised land of the FA Cup Third Round, well, you never know your luck in a mid-sized South Yorkshire town.

Add the name of Iain McMillan to the list of players who don't consider their First Team opportunities to be sufficient. The 21 year old Scottish striker scored nine League goals last season to be our top scorer. At 6'4, he finds himself competing with the likes of Deeney, Walsh and Branch for a place, and is well behind them. I think it's best all around if he moves on from Bourne Park.

Tuesday 25th November
It's a lunchtime draw for the First Round of the FA Trophy, and with the fixtures set for two weeks on Saturday, we are given another away draw, as this time we will visit Woking, a Blue Square Premier side that are fighting relegation. As of today, they sit 23rd, and two points from safety, with form not great for them either. They have recorded just three League wins all season. The chances of a good payday are slim, they have a current League average attendance of 1,116.

It will be a chance to catch up with two names that have featured throughout the different sections of this save as well. Anwar Uddin is a 33 year old Bangladeshi International centre back who, who went through the best vein of goalscoring form in his career when I took him to Somerset Park during my time in charge of Ayr United. The continued lockdown of the game north of the border forced him to move on, and he arrived in Woking at the start of the season, featuring in over half of their League games so far this campaign. Also part of their squad is another player who arrived at the club in the summer from Scotland, goalkeeper Jasbir Singh, who is part of my Pool of players with India, and until recently, had been a regular in my Senior Squads. His form has not been great, and after sharing the workload with Irish colleague Terry Masterson in the earlier stages of the season, the Irishman has started to look like the first choice over recent weeks.

30 year old striker Danny Carey-Bertram came to the office before we set off for our match in Lewes this evening, a match that he isn't selected to travel for. He tells me he is unhappy at the club, and if he doesn't get an increased level of First Team football, he may need to seek a transfer. I listen to what he has to say, and then take the decision out of his hands. Granted, he may not have had a run of sustained football, but when selected, he has been poor, and I tell him that I will place him on the Transfer List and seek to move him on at the earliest opportunity. Chris Wilkinson has resumed training today, but he isn't considered for tonight's match.

Blue Square League, South Division
The Dripping Pan, Lewes
Lewes v Maidstone United
Attendance :- 746. Weather :- Gale, Downpour, 12c.

We return to something more like our strongest lineup, though there are some changes to the perception of that. The back four that has featured regularly for the last month or so all return for this one, but the midfield duo selected tonight are Alan Dallas and Malcolm Carr. There is a surprise up front too, as Michael Branch and Mark Wallace both keep their places from Saturday's win over Redditch United, as we slightly surprisingly maybe, stick to the attacking 4-2-2-2 wide formation, rather than looking to counter-attack from the outset.

If it wasn't already obvious that we faced a tough task this evening, it was highlighted to us in the 10th minute, a Malcolm Carr free kick headed clear, and Lewes counter attacked at speed, Ian Carroll shooting when he maybe had better options, his effort just too high to find its target of the top corner. That was just the beginning of a sustained period of pressure though, Ross Black's corner punched away by Josh Derry from right under his own cross bar, full back Matt Plummer's through ball for Carroll just skidding away on the wet surface and into the arms of our keeper. Mark Williams and Shaun Culverhouse then had to double team Timmy Grant to take the ball from him just inside our penalty box, the appeals for a spot kick falling on deaf ears, Paul Casey voicing his opinion to loudly and earning a yellow card. He did try to make amends by teeing up Graham Ward, but the midfielder failed to hit the target with his shot from range. Casey's booking became an issue for the full back when Jack Collins cruised past him and into the box, leaving him unable to do much about our flying winger, fortunately for him, the cross failed to find a colleague. And Collins would lose one of his colleagues before the break, Williams picking up an injury, meaning Michael Haswell was summoned from the bench. Liam Ormsby's knock wasn't enough to take him off the park any longer than to receive some treatment, but while he did that, his side almost took the lead, Black curling his free kick around our wall, but his effort went out of play after hitting the outside of the near post. Goalless at the break, and lucky or thankful would be the best way to describe our first half.

The players were given a gee up at the break, as we looked to continue to stand firm and keep the League leaders out for the second half. Though it was us who had the first chance after the restart, Michael Haswell's inswinging free kick from the right was just too far ahead of striker Mark Wallace, despite him being at full stretch to try and get a toe on it. Moments later, an even better chance came along, Haswell hoisting the ball down the park, and Terry Hindmarch's pace allowed him to keep the ball in on the left and send it into the box, Wallace bringing it down, but finding himself with his back to goal, so he squared it to Collins, who's first touch took him past his marker, but he sent his shot an inch or so wide of the near post, a great chance going begging! 25 minutes of fairly quiet football followed, Josh McClean and Plummer both booked as frustration seemed to be taking hold of the leaders. With 17 minutes to go, as we prepared to funnel back into a more defensive formation and see out a draw, Wallace brought down centre back Martin Skinner on the edge of the box as we attempted to clear a corner. Wallace was booked as the defence organised themselves. Even from fifty or so yards away, I could see the wall wasn't set up properly. Derry could see it too, but he was unable to get his message across. Sub Darren Lewis struck the free kick, going for power, and watching as the ball struck the wall, before pinging against a helpless Malcolm Carr and floating beyond the reach of a stranded Derry and into the net. So a quick change of plan was needed, and now instead of counter-attacking, we would need to go more attacking. With just eight minutes remaining, Alan Dallas was replaced by Daniel Walsh due to injury, as we moved into a very attacking looking 4-3-3 with wing backs instead of full backs. But Lewes almost caught us at the back, Ormsby knocking down the ball for Lewis, but his shot into the ground bounced up just over the bar. We had one more change to use, but we were forced to use it in the 86th minute when we suffered a second full back injury, Andy Miskimmon forced off, and Mark Smith came on. We now had a very attacking duo on our right side, but it wasn't enough to create a chance for an equaliser, and we would go home empty handed.

Lewes (0) 1 - Malcolm Carr (74 og)
Maidstone United (0) 0
Josh Derry; Andy Miskimmon © (inj - Mark Smith 86), Shaun Culverhouse, James Curtis, Mark Williams (inj - Michael Haswell 35); Alan Dallas (inj - Daniel Walsh 82), Malcolm Carr; Jack Collins, Terry Hindmarch; Mark Wallace, Michael Branch.
Unused Substitutes :- Aaron Steele, Marc Canham
Bookings :- Mark Wallace 73
Possession :- 46% - 54%. Man of the Match :- Paul Casey (Lewes).

I can't really claim that we deserved a point, but it stung a bit to come away without one after missing a great chance to go ahead, and then shipping the winner in such an unfortunate manner. However, despite all our recent issues with League form, that is our first defeat in four in our bread and butter competition. That it came at the hands of the leaders, sweetens the pill a touch.

Usually, it is our wins that come at a cost. But with the big FA Cup date now less than 72 hours away, two of our players will now miss out on the trip north and a chance to be a part of the televised match. Alan Dallas suffered a gash to his leg in a strong challenge that forced him off, which will keep him out for up to a fortnight. Also missing out will be Andy Miskimmon. The skipper is devastated to be missing the big day, but he fractured his arm in the closing moments, which will keep him out for a month.

Wednesday 26th November
Our bid to bring in an International centre back has failed. Twice capped twenty year old Bermudan defender Sean Marshall rejected our offer, and will instead remain in Bulgaria, with his Free Transfer move from Olimpik to Yantra now set for the 15th January next year. He will be the first non-European in their fairly cosmopolitan looking squad, though he holds a British passport.

Our Reserves continue their impressive form, beating Havant & Waterlooville 2-0 this evening at Bourne Park in Group 9. A goal in each half, both from players potentially making the start of their farewells to the club, Danny Carey-Bertram and Iain McMillan meant that the lead at the top of the table is now nine points.

Thursday 27th November
It's the eve of our trip to Doncaster, and should you have somehow been talked into fancying our chances, you can get 15/1 on us springing a fairly major giant killing against the side currently sat in second place in the third tier of England's football pyramid. At 1/10, backing the hosts would be an expensive business if you were looking to make a worthwhile profit.

No fewer than ten teams have made offers to take Danny Carey-Bertram from us on a Free Transfer. Offers from clubs at our own level, and in this case, from the level above in the Blue Square Premier, are automatically refused. That included a bid from our rivals Dartford. That leaves just three clubs in the running for his signature, Bromley, Oxford City and Walton & Hersham.

Friday 28th November

FA Cup, Second Round
Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
Doncaster Rovers v Maidstone United
Attendance :- 3,408. Weather :- Wet, 9c.

The attendance was smaller than we had hoped it would be from a financial aspect, but it was still almost three times the size of the biggest home gate we have had in this save. Coming up to Yorkshire and having a go at the side 87 places above us in the pyramid would likely be suicidal. So we roll out our counter-attack option, with the hope of keeping them out for a while, scaring them a bit when we get the chance to break, and keeping ourselves in the game to hit them late and try to bowl them right out of the Cup. Gary Murray comes in at right back for injured captain Andy Miskimmon, with Mark Gordon and Tommaso Maffei selected to sit in front of the back four, with Marc Canham in the middle, and Michael Branch as the lone striker. Amongst those included on the bench are Malcolm Carr, Gordon Chin and Gavin Molloy.

An early effort from range by centre half Dylan McGown after we had only part cleared an early corner did us no harm, and we responded by creating a superb chance to give our tactic a real go, Jack Collins whipping in a free kick from the left towards the far post, where Michael Branch got in front of Gary Borrowdale, but failed to keep his header down from five yards out. An attempt to launch a counter attack moments later ended with Mark Gordon sending a curling shot from range just off target. We would pay for not finishing one of those chances in the 9th minute, Simon Church making a run through the centre, and laying the ball off into the right flank for Luke Joyce to run onto, and his deep cross found David Cox, who got goal side of James Curtis and side footed home from close range to give Rovers the lead, his first ever goal for the club. They almost followed it up with a fairly swift second too, Borrowdale sending a long diagonal free kick from his own half, and Church jumped in between two defenders, Shaun Culverhouse and Mark Williams managing to prevent him getting an effort on goal between them. With the game a quarter way through, Rovers were upping the pace, and threatening to over run us, another Joyce cross from the right was only just cleared by Collins who had tracked all the way back, while Gary Murray was needed to get his foot in at the last second to prevent Cox getting a clear shot on goal after we missed the a first chance to clear a ball into our box. But with only a minute to play until the break, we could hold out no longer, Borrowdale sending Bradley Johnson into a race down the left against Murray that he easily won, angling his run into the box and then picking out Church at the far post, who half volleyed in to double the hosts lead at the break.

Things were going pretty much exactly as most had expected, and there was no reason not to make a change with a two goal deficit. So we returned to the 4-2-2-2 wide formation that we usually used in the League, an injured Marc Canham coming off for Daniel Walsh as we looked to cause some more problems of our own and at least make a game of it. And it seemed to have an impact too. Culverhouse and Tommaso Maffei combined to take the ball from Church on halfway, and launch an attack that saw Murray sling in a first time cross that Branch met with a volley, McGowan bravely blocking that one. A series of corners soon followed, Murray's corner met by Curtis, saved partially by Shane Supple, before Rashid Yusuff headed the ball off the line and over his own bar. The next one went through the six yard box, Collins retrieving it and picking out Terry Hindmarch near the penalty spot, his volley superbly saved by Supple to keep their two goal lead intact. Third time lucky? Not quite, Williams delivery picked out Curtis, who's header came right back off the near post. Rovers were riding their luck a little, and Collins wriggled his way into the box and picked out Branch, the strikers shot on the turn too hot to handle for Supple, who got a big hand to it, but could only help it into the bottom corner, as we pulled a goal back to the delight of our travelling fans. For a while, we had our more illustrious hosts on the ropes, but with twenty five minutes to go, Cox dropped deep and knocked the ball down for Dickson Etuhu, who in turn found full back David van Zanten in acres of space on the right, his cross aimed at Cox, but Curtis had learned his lesson, getting in front of the striker this time and putting the ball out of play. I decided on another attacking change, Maffei coming off, and the more forward minded Gordon Chin taking his place. But we were struggling to turn the tide back into our favour, recently introduced sub Lloyd Sam sent over a cross with quarter of an hour to play, Cox left unmarked ten yards out, but he didn't get enough on his header, and he glanced it wide of the target. But with a little under ten minutes to go, Mark Gordon's pass to Gordon Chin in midfield was under hit, and Yusuff sent a through ball into the path of Church, the striker forced wider than he would have liked by Curtis, but he sent a square pass towards Cox, and Chin's effort to keep the ball away from him saw him only manage to bundle the ball into the back of his own net. That was pretty much all she wrote for us, Michael Haswell coming on late for Mark Williams after Sam curled one just over our cross bar. Our superb Cup run was ended right here.

Doncaster Rovers (2) 3 - David Cox (9), Simon Church (45), Gordon Chin (81 og)
Maidstone United (0) 1 - Michael Branch (56)
Josh Derry; Gary Murray, James Curtis ©, Shaun Culverhouse, Mark Williams (Michael Haswell 84); Mark Gordon, Tommaso Maffei (Gordon Chin 66); Jack Collins, Marc Canham (inj - Daniel Walsh 45), Terry Hindmarch; Michael Branch.
Unused Substitutes :- Aaron Steele, Malcolm Carr, Gavin Molloy, Mark Smith
Bookings :- None
Possession :- 42% - 58%. Man of the Match :- Rashid Yusuff (Doncaster Rovers).

It wasn't all bad news of course. Yes, we lost, and Marc Canham will be out for a week or so with a bruised head. Yes, our FA Cup run had also come to an end. But the grand old competition had been good to us this season, and it had one last act. We received £25,000 as our share of the gate receipts from tonight's match, but also, another £75,000 as our share of the TV revenue from the match. In front of a national audience, we had not disgraced ourselves, and we were now £80,000 in the black. That's almost double the amount that was in the bank when I arrived at Bourne Park eight and a half months ago.

Saturday 29th November
This wet Saturday would offer no hint of what was about to unfold this weekend. Our Under-18 side made the trip to Fawkham, and the Corinthian Sports Club, where they were denied a Group 10 victory at the death by Welling. Young Scottish forward Stefan Anderson put our youngsters in front in the tenth minute, but a Steve Hall equaliser with just ninety seconds remaining meant their lead over Dover Athletic at the top of the table would be seven points.

Sunday 30th November
It was a long day, but it went by in a flash. At lunchtime a Manager was sacked, perhaps a little hastily, by his club. Within hours, they had made contact and been given permission to speak to me. I heard what they had to say. I liked what they had to say. Negotiations began quickly, and very soon we were at a point where there was enough in it for me to need to make a decision. There was no heart ruling head, or vice versa. I knew it was the right time, and the right move.

I had managed my last game as the boss of Maidstone United. Just eight and a half months at the club, but together we had avoided a relegation that looked damn near certain, and taken the club on an amazing journey in the FA Cup. I'd leave with the finances secure, and the squad infinitely better than the one I had inherited.

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Maidstone United (14/3/2014 - 30/11/2014) 266 days in charge

Honours :-
None

Maidstone United Record :-
GP 35. W 17. D 9. L 9. GF 47. GA 31. GD +16. Win Percentage 48.6%.

Overall Career Record (Including Senior Internationals) :-
GP 256. W 137. D 57. L 61. GF 420. GA 267. GD +153. Win Percentage 53.5%.

Highest Transfer Fee Paid :- £4,000 for Marc Canham 25/4/2014
Highest Transfer Fee Received :- No players sold for a fee

Manager of the Month Awards :- 7 (1 with Lurgan Celtic, 3 with Ayr United, 3 with Lokomotiv Moscow)
Total Career Earnings :- £65,000

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And so, just like that, Chapter IV has come to an abrupt end. The move will surprise a few, and may even be a little controversial, but it is a new chapter that I'm excited about. The save is now six and a half seasons in, and this is going to be my fifth club in that time span, plus the International job as well. It has not been ideal, but I'm still confident of putting it right and climbing the ladder yet.......

Chapter V is coming soon.

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